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FOOTBALL: More from Heath Farwell

Seattle linebacker Heath Farwell (55), along with fellow captains Red Bryant (79) and Earl Thomas (25), walk onto the field with Kellen Joyce for the coin toss before the Seahawks' divisional playoff game against New Orleans Jan. 11. (Photo: The Associated Press)

Some leftovers from my conversation with Seattle linebacker Heath Farwell, the basis for the column on the former Corona High star's first Super Bowl appearance:

-- Playing for Pete Carroll is an interesting experience. Carroll runs practices with the Seahawks fairly similar to the way he did at USC, though there may have been more spectators on the premises during his USC practices. But there's always music playing, and the effect is a form of organized chaos that actually makes it easier to function when things go south on game day.

"If you watch the games, guys are out there having fun," Farwell said. "That's what Coach Carroll brings: a fun mentality, a fun vibe. that's what players love. Guys don't even realize they're working hard because they're having fun.

"We could have a fourth-and-1 play in the fourth quarter, and guys are on the field dancing to the music playing on the PA speakers. Coach Carroll embraces that. He says, 'If the media's not around, if people aren't around, it means you're not any good.' It's like at 'SC with all the stars. Will Farrell will be at our games, or on the field before the game.

"When I'm done playing, I hope to coach under him. I have a lot of respect for him and his staff, and I've learned so much since I've been here."

-- In his bio in the Seahawks' media guide, it said Farwell was interested in a law enforcement career after football, but from the sound of it he's considering a different career track.

"I'm hoping to get to 10 (years as a player), and then we'll see," he said. "You never know how it's going to work out in this league. You can't really speculate when you're going to be done. But at some point I'll kind of turn the (page to) the next chapter and turn to coaching. I want to coach at the NFL level, and Coach Carroll and I have talked about it before.

"It's something I've always wanted to do, to just be around the game. As much as I'd love to play for another 10 years, at some point the body's not going to let you. When the time comes, I want to do the next closest thing to get that adrenalin rush of Sunday, game day. To me, that's coaching."

-- Naturally, I had to get his take on cornerback Richard Sherman, the eye of the Seahawks' storm all week.

"I love Richard," he said. "He's a great teammate, a great friend, and he has a huge heart. He got a little fired up after the (49ers) game, but that's the emotion of the game and the emotional player he is.

"He puts so much in there, he's so competitive, and that's just the type of guy he is. We love that about him. That's why he's the best corner in the league, and that's the way he plays. He's so competitive. He takes everything personally. Sometimes he might go a little overboard, but we support him and love him. He's a good friend of mine. Nobody was offended ... He's very smart and educated, but he's got some fire. That's why he's a heck of a football player."

-- And as for the Seahawks' other marquee player, quarterback Russell Wilson?

"It all starts with our quarterback. Russell Wilson is just an unbelievable player. The first guy in the building and the last to leave ... I know that's kind of a cliche, but that's him. He's just a student of the game, and he won't make the same mistake twice because he works at it so much."

-- On being special teams captain, chosen in a vote of his teammates:

"I'm one of the older guys, a guy they kind of look up to. It's an honor to be one of the captains and just to be the guy they kind of look to, with my experience and knowledge of the game ... It's not that I'm the leader that's going to get in your face or yell at you. I'm a guy who will pull you aside and give you knowledge, coach you up as much as he can. A lot of guys come to me because they know I've seen it all.

"I remember when I was a young guy, looking up at some of the guys I played with and picking their brains. It's a small fraternity of players, and when you're on a good team like we have you all look out for each other. Guys helped me when I was young, and I try to return the favor."

-- The Seahawks have a normal practice week at their facility this week before heading to the New York-New Jersey area for the pre-Super Bowl activities next week.

"Super Bowl week, you've got to get your priorities straight," Farwell said. "The good thing is we're able to take care of a lot of stuff this week, hotels and ticket requests. Toward the end of this week we'll have all that completed, and then it's time to get serious and start rolling and get ready for this game.

"I guess that's a reason there's two weeks (between the conference championship games and the Super Bowl), because there's so much you have to get done on the business side, taking care of the family and all the arrangements. It's a lot of stuff, but we've got to prioritize."

-- Farwell's parents, Denice and Larry, still live in Corona, as does sister Brittany; brother Grant lives in Norco. They're all planning to be at the game.

"That's what's cool about it: It's kind of a celebration for them, because they've been a big part of my life," Farwell said. "I wouldn't be there without my parents, and my brother and sister. I remember my parents never missing a game, from playing with the Corona Rams to the Corona Chargers to Corona High School, all the way through my career. They still come to a few games.

"Actually, what's cool is that I've had so much support back there. Corona High School's a big part of me learning the game in football. Steve Hill was a big part. He coached me in high school, and now he's doing a great job there (as head coach). I go back in the offseason, try to get back and see some of those guys. And I get a million texts from people back home. It's really cool that guys are still supporting me.

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